80 DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE APPABATUS. 



admitted that bilious fever could assume a more serious form and 

 acquire a putrid character (typical bilious fever of the older authors). 



In catarrhal affections which are limited to the large intestine we 

 observe, as special symptoms, colics and diarrhea. The expulsion 

 of coated fecal matter indicates a localization of the catarrh in the 

 posterior portion of the large intestine and the rectum (catarrhal 

 proctitis). 



Frequent expulsions of small quantities of excrements, tenesmus, 

 violent efforts and complaints at the time of defecation, arching of 

 the back, etc., are all so many symptoms of rectal catarrh. 



The expulsion of excrements covered with mucus was formerly 

 looked upon as a mucous fever. We follow E oil's example in con- 

 sidering this disease, which is particularly common in ruminants 

 and dogs — as a variety of acute gastro-intestinal catarrh. Any des- 

 quamative or exudative process, in fact, was formerly called mucous 

 fever ; this becomes evident in the description given by Spinola, who 

 assigns the following as the principal symptoms of the trouble : 

 paleness of the mucous membrane, a copious exudation upon the 

 whole intestinal tract, excrements coated with a large quantity of 

 mucus, tendency to diarrhea, etc. This old nomenclature must be 

 abandoned to history. 



Treatment. — The prophylaxis consists in the rational applica- 

 tion of dietetic principles relating to the alimentation and keeping 

 •of the horse ; strict observation of the animals protects them from 

 most of the etiological influences which play the principal rôle in 

 the development of the disease. 



The curative treatment itself must be mainly hygienic. In many 

 cases attention to the diet alone will overcome the trouble. Heavy 

 and exciting foods must be avoided, and those selected should be 

 dispensed in small quantities at a time. When the disease is traced 

 to overloading of the stomach with alimentary matter it will be 

 well to subject the animals to entire abstinence for several days. 

 Drinking-water must be exposed to the air for some time, and must 

 be given immediately after meals, and not a few hours after. The 

 patients should be well covered, and the whole surface of the skin 

 should be rubbed several times daily. It is also advisable to give 

 them a little exercise in fresh air. 



The internal medication will depend upon the various indications: 



1. In a case of overloading the stomach, the alimentary matters 

 should be expelled as quickly as possible. We frequently use for 



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